Mowgli was not asked to give a report. Neither was the woman I gathered was Sluefoot Sue.
She managed to fill the room with her presence, however. As tall as Mr. Campbell, nearly as tall as Doctor Mac, she wore an outlandish western costume. Sleek doeskin cowboy boots peeked out beneath a fringed, divided riding skirt and vest, a turquoise blouse and a scarlet bandana. Ornate silver and turquoise chasings and tooling ornamented the leather garments. Her gloves and hat were also leather, elaborately tooled and silver and turquoise-decked. She wore her glossy chestnut hair in thick braids and her eyes were an extraordinary golden shade. Wind and sun had given her a flushed and very freckled complexion but she was a handsome woman indeed.
"All of our researches indicate that the leader of this organization is in London," Madame Phoebe said. "You understand that these stories are only examples. Many such incidents have been documented, and we will show you anything in our files that you desire to see."
"Sounds clear enough that these things are happening as you say," Doctor Mac said when his wife remained silent and thoughtful. "But not so clear that there's one organization and one head. How did you arrive at that?"
Sluefoot Sue rose to her feet with a peculiar whirring, hissing and clanking sound. The noises were repeated as she moved in her roving way about the room. Her step was heavy and uneven. "Ah'd like t' explain that, Miz Phoebe," she said with a nod to Doctor Mac. "Mah husband and Ah was trackers by profession, taught by th' First Nations people as well as th' U.S. Cavalry an' th' Pinkerton Detective Agency. We done stretches with 'em all. Ah learnt t' read all kind'a' sign, bootprints in th' mud, a thumb mark on a window, to th' stamp a' one evil personality on a lotta little things. Ah understand Mr. Mowgli here is also pretty good at cryin' a trail, an' Ah'll let him correct me if'n Ah go astray." Mowgli's eyes glowed and he fixed his full attention on Sue.
"We didn't git these clues in order, y' understand, but Ah'll put 'em in order fer y' so's y' kin foller. We got us a lotta cases a' th' pickpocket with th' pig-sticker, so many thet we reckoned th' whole way a' life was changin' fer 'em.
"The little ones jest nab the hankies and timepieces like they always done, but at some point they git orders t' look out fer bigger game, an' by appointment. It got t' be too much of a coincidence, pickpockets just happ'nin' t' nab important documents an' property.
"We learned it's happ'nin' with church officials as well as secular types," Sue continued. "Then come th' connections wi' th' threadbare business boys Prince Florizel talked about an' th' soiled doves like th' one what compromised that-there Collins feller. It's what we call a common denominator. They're findin' out thangs an' funnelin' their information through th' gossip columnists, as Miz Campbell discovered. Item appears in the paper, pickpocket or housebreaker goes after the booty. The ship Mr. Fun discovered was transportin' enslaved thieves t' other locales. Connection there's th' name a' th' 'investor,' Dodge, Ltd., and that's what really hog-ties it all t'gether."
"What was the name of the constable who took our pickpocket into custody last night, Mac?" Mr. Campbell asked.
"I – uh – I have to say I didn't notice," Doctor Mac admitted, reddening.
"Constable Dodge," Madame Phoebe supplied. "Archie told me. And the alert that was to be attached to any of the gossip columns that contained directions for a theft was some variation of, According to my favorite informant, Dodge."
"And if poor Gertie had spoken a little clearer when I recorded her," Oliver Twist said grimly, "you would have heard her say, 'It were a dodge, 'at's wot it were.' Inquiries have turned up an advocate by the name of Dodge listed as defending suspects we have studied, who have never been found for further proceedings, and Mr. Dodge is, it goes without saying, not known by sight to anyone in chancery. At least, not by anyone who can be found anymore to ask."
"You will recall my informant mentioned the name Dodge in connection with someone having been killed," I added, as if I had known the connection all along. In truth, it had just clicked in my dull brain. Madame Phoebe positively beamed at me.
"It is good hunting, Sue," Mowgli said with a broad smile. "You have followed the sign well."
"Why would the fellow be so foolish as to give out his name, over and over?" Doctor Mac asked, astonished.
"It is not his real name," I said quietly, building on Twist's conversation with Gertie. "A dodge is a deception, a quick change of direction to escape a threat, so of course he has chosen that name to laugh at anyone who tries to seek him out. He will dodge us at every turn unless we somehow corner him."
"More fool him t' keep usin' th' same monicker," Sue said. "Showin' off's th' one thing a wicked man cain't resist nohow. He'll brag on hisself an' make sure we know it's him. Maybe Dodge ain't his real name, but it's real enough t' him, an' he's proud to throw it around. And thet's how we'll bring him down. He'll throw it out once too often and we'll be there t' catch it."
"And the Alexander Campbell Foundation shall be pleased to assist the Alexander Legacy in making the catch,” Rose Campbell said firmly.
Other Books and products from Findley Family Video Publications
Antidisestablishmentarianism by Michael and Mary Findley
(Also available in an illustrated version, with over 200 full-page illustrations throughout the book, and in four separate sections, both illustrated and unillustrated versions.)
The Bible is a Book of Science
Secular Humanism is a Religion of Mythology
Secularism in America has occurred in defiance of the founding writings, which spelled out the dangers of Government-Church union. But Christianity wasn't a contradiction of the so-called "separation principle".
All the history of the world echoes the message that man cloaks secularism, the worship of himself, in religion. He demands unlimited power for his religion, Secular Humanism.
Secularists have hijacked words like belief, faith, and trust,. Secularists demand that Science depend on presupposition, assumptions, and "deep time. " The Scriptures themselves prove their scientific nature and worth.
from Chapter 14 What Does the Scientific Evidence Prove?
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.
Samuel Johnson
Christians, unfortunately, believe that science is an enemy. There is good reason, since most who use the word "science" have completely abandoned Johnson's demand that integrity go hand in hand with knowledge, replacing truth with selective evidence which supports preconceived conclusions. Christians should not develop either an antagonism toward true science or ignore the very real contributions of true science. Neither should true scientists ignore the very real foundation of science in Christianity. Dennis Prager, anthropologist and historian, laments the unthinking reliance on pseudo-science in today's society.
"In much of the West, the well-educated have been taught to believe they can know nothing and they can draw no independent conclusions about truth, unless they cite a study and 'experts' have affirmed it. 'Studies show' is to the modern secular college graduate what 'Scripture says' is to the religious fundamentalist."
Empire Saga by Michael J. Findley (Also available as five separates short stories and novellas, including the Space Empire Trilogy)
Persecution of believers in Christ like that in “City On a Hill” is already happening. One day soon the only refuge for the faithful may be space. Follow the once-godly Space Empire through its degeneration in "Sojourner," where a desperate couple fight loneliness and equipment malfunction to pioneer piloting a gas-collecting balloon ship to the outer planets. In "Humiliation," the king of the Space Empire takes his son’s toy away.
Forbidden romance leads to tragedy, political turmoil, and a meeting with representatives of Earth's mysterious Fourth Empire. Michael reconciles with his father but must find a way to save the Palace, Randolph, and the earth woman Aidan from the attacks of the Church and Earth's hopelessly corrupt system. Michael’s shattering d
ecisions may save or destroy the Space Empire's last hope for the future.
from "City on A Hill"
More than a dozen men worked on the 50,000-kilo shuttle in the lower shuttle bay. The main bay was almost undamaged, but the batteries had been stripped or jumped, causing extensive electrical damage. All of the smaller shuttles were operational, but the largest shuttle, since it had the most powerful electrical system, had been cannibalized the most.
"If we can get this shuttle up and running," said Jon Newton, "we'll be ready to start shipping when the last of the products are packaged. You sure your ladies' aid society can get those vegetables packaged in time?"
"I have complete faith in them," said John Winthrop. "They'll be ready when we are. Just one more -- "
Winthrop collapsed, scattering tools. Several men ran over to him.
"Get the doctor!" shouted Mike, the first man to reach him.
Nehemiah, LLC (This book takes place between Sojourner and Empire One: Humiliation in the Space Empire Universe.)
Why doesn't Tony know what a paper cup is? What is it about a "Glop Drop" that kids can't resist? How can Joan keep the goats where they belong? And, most important of all, can Tony and Joan make the launch window to see the Sojourner on its way to the outer planets?
No light sabres. No warp drive. It's more like the real thing -- an Apollo mission plus floating farms plus Martian underground parks. "It won't fail because of me" takes on a whole new meaning.
from Chapter Nine: The Task
"So we can move people in three or four days?" asked Anthony.
"Well, after we finish sandblasting..." said Joan.
"So this is sandblasting?" asked Anthony.
"Well, he can say something besides 'How long will this take?'" said Joan. "After the sandblasting is finished, however long that takes, then the room is sprayed with foam insulation. The foam stabilizes the temperature and seals the room from air leaks. It also protects the room from minor vibration. At that point the people who build the room come in with plumbing, electrical, temperature control, walls, air quality and pressure. The next day after they are finished the furniture moves in, and then the people. So, it's a minimum of a week. It's more if you leave because there is no one else to operate your sandblaster. Then we train them how to build more rooms and we go on to something else."
"Like what?" asked Anthony.
"You spend your entire life dreaming up ways to give other people work," said Joan. "Stick around and do some of the work yourself. Let me give you a list. We could do more sandblasting. There are at least a hundred projects that need enlargement. If that's not to your taste, we could fill with foam insulation, finish rooms, weld, install furniture, work on making the roof of the production area open to the surface, enlarge the life support systems to cover the new area, synthesize more air and water, transport materials ... "
"I really like one thing you said," interrupted Anthony. "That's the 'we could' part."
The Baron's Ring by Mary C. Findley
Prince Tristan tumbles a hundred miles downriver and a world away from his kingdom. How does cloak bartering get him a place in impoverished Larcondale? Why does his best student suddenly disappear from the tiny school?
Disaster might blot out his last hope for love and a future. Will he survive his confrontation with a Witch Queen in the King’s Hole?
Psalm 33:16
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
"Do not continue to oppose me, prince," Shneea warned. "This man you have loved since childhood will die here, and he will only be the first."
"I have no choice but to oppose you," Tristan said. "You feed off innocent men's flesh."
"You will submit," Shneea said. "You and I shall wed, or I will destroy you without touching your body. Prince Tristan will cease to exist."
"How can you do such a thing?" Tristan was baffled.
"Do not tempt me to show you," Shneea said. "Marry me, handsome prince."
"It's impossible," Tristan gritted. "You have a husband, and I have a wife."
"My husband will be dead almost any moment," Shneea laughed. "But you have got yourself a wife, have you? The marriage will be annulled."
"I have no desire to be rid of my wife, nor to wed you."
Benny and the Bank Robber by Mary C. Findley
Benny Richardson and his widowed mother have to move to his uncle’s Missouri farm. John Clancy saves them from a sinking barge and when his mother is injured agrees to get Benny to Missouri. But a bag of disguises, a long, sharp knife, and too many secrets to make him anything but a safe traveling companion.
A fleeing bank robber, a savage black stallion, and a "cougar evangelist" all play a part in Benny's journey to accept of God's will when it isn't at all humanly sensible or safe. Benny faces an implacable bully and finds a long-lost treasure from his dead father.
from Chapter Three – "He'll Go Far!"
"How come you stopped the barge if you already had a good horse? And why were you hiding that black bag under your saddle?" Benny kept talking, so fast that Mr. Clancy couldn't have answered his questions if he had wanted to. And he certainly didn't seem to want to.
"It looked just like the bag Mr. Carlisle put on the train -- and the one that man in the black suit was carrying. What was in all those bags? Or -- was that you pretending to be somebody else again? Were you the one that killed that man at the bank and stole the money?"
Mr. Clancy had been staring at him all this time without moving. Suddenly he jumped forward and grabbed Benny. He covered Benny's mouth with one hand and with the other pulled out a big, long knife. Holding Benny so tight it hurt, he laid the knife up against his throat and whispered in his ear.
"I guess you do get to go along with me, after all, Benny my boy," he hissed. "But somehow I don't think we'll make it to Uncle Tom's. The chickens'll be so disappointed."
Benny and the Bank Robber 2: Doctor Dad
A new marriage for Benny’s mother should be a time of rejoicing. But why is Uncle Tom so angry? While substitute teaching for his mother Benny meets twin girls who turn his world upside down. A terrifying mystery at a private boys' school in Detroit includes gambling, extortion and attempted murder. Benny makes the mistake of trying to impress members of a secret society, discovers he may have a double, and hopes to survive a meeting with someone who may already have murdered to enforce his will.
from Chapter Fifteen -- "An Ultimatum"
That night Benny took one more look through his footlocker. Suddenly he noticed a slip of paper tucked into his winter boots. He pulled it out and opened it.
"The box is the key. Use it to unlock the door to the cat." At the end was a symbol Benny recognized as the Greek letter Omega. Jason and Joseph were both in the room when Benny found the note. Joseph watched every move Benny made when he found the note, though he tried clumsily not to show it. Jason read the note over Benny's shoulder. Like lightning, Jason leaped across the room and slammed Joseph down on the floor. He grabbed his throat and Joseph squawked. He was a much bigger boy than Jason, but he was not at all strong and could not get the furious boy off of him.
"You're the one who stole it!" Jason snarled. "I knew it all the time. We want it back right now!"
"Make him get off of me, or you'll be sorry!" Joseph squealed to Benny.
"Let him up, Jason," Benny ordered. "Joseph, I guess you don't want to be expelled, do you? I just want my cougar skin back. I don't want any trouble."
"You can't prove I had anything to do with that note or your -- cougar skin," Joseph said with an oath. "You can tell me now what's in the box. Then they'll let you know what they want next."
Hope and the Knight of the Black Lion by Mary C. Findley
(Also available in the "Illuminated Version," echoing the style of a medieval manuscript. "Home to My Father: A Knight's Tale," is a stand-alone excerpt from this novel.)
Seventeen-year-old-Hope rebels agai
nst arranged marriage in medieval England. The earl’s handsome son Robert tempts her to defiance. A mysterious knight appears to help Hope find her missing family. Does Hugo Brun de March truly travel on a Holy Quest?
What is the a strange diary the Arab Sadaquah gives Hope? When her protector is captured she discovers a plot to subvert English law and justice.
from Chapter Eleven
"Sir Knight. I hear that thou wilt not say thy name nor thy true business to anyone. "
"It is a vow I have made, that Baron Cloyes must be the first in England to know of these things. "
"Man, thy story might turn my heart completely to thy cause," Lord Godwin said.
"It matters little now, my lord. " Sir Chris coughed several times. "The earl has said I am to be made to confess to the burning of the manor house. To that I cannot confess, and so ... Lady Hope?"
"Yes, Sir Chris?"
"I am sorry I could not help you," he said in a voice I could scarcely hear. "I am sorry, too, that you were not persuaded to know Christ."
Chasing the Texas Wind by Mary C. Findley
Hamilton Jessup agrees a sham marriage with socialite singer Maeve Collinswood. This beautiful spinster needs a handsome wounded war hero husband to show off at Texas fundraisers. Ham has no choice, but they both have secrets to keep from each other.
Ham was supposed to ignore her frequent disappearances. Falling in love with her changed all that. His discovery that their secrets are connected plunges both of them into a race to outwit whoever is supplying arms to Mexico as the countdown ticks away toward the Battle of Monterrey.
Desperation and Decision Page 6
